cbunny

Hi, I wanted to share my interview experience with all of you.
I guess in my signature you will see our timeline. We sent our papers April 10 and our interview was yesterday June 24th at 1:30 pm. I'm the Beneficiary and my husband (USC) the petitioner. We arrived at the Fairfax office around 1:10pm. Went through security and then arrived at the waiting room. The lady at the front desk took our interview notice paper and asked us to sit down while we waited. We grabbed some magazines and talked, about stuff, just like any normal day. There were about 4-5 couples there when we arrived. Around 1:50 a happy-looking officer came outside and talked to the lady at the front desk and then he said "well I have one paper left here and only one couple left. so that must be you!" and I raised my hands, as if I had wone a prize. He asked us to come inside to his office. He gave us a really good vibe and I was thankful he seemed to be in a very good mood.
He came inside his office and we proceeded with the "I solemnly swear.." to what he said, I believe him but you young lady? Very jokingly and then he laughed. So then he had our file in front of him, he asked us for our IDs, my husband's drivers license and I gave my newly arrived work authorization and passport. He took the I-94 and kept it by the way. He then ratified our names and address and the fact that Im from Mexico. He said I was a rarety (and said that my husband of course already knew how rare I was), because in that office they see more people from south America but not many form Mexico at all and that he used to live in Chicago and that in that office they see more people from Mexico and then we talked about tacos and we commented how much we wanted tacos at our wedding and how difficult it was to find an original taco caterer in the area and what not.
He continued checking things through the paperwork, asked me of course that list about being arrested before, being a communist, terrorist, etc. Then asked me if I had ever tortured someone.. I said no... and then laughed and said ok maybe my husband and my parents. And he said, yeah I bet they must be worried about you right now. We chuckled. Somewhere along the way he asked us how we met. My husband answered and told him our story and how we started dating. I had a copy of all the docs I had sent, and of course he saw it and asked if I had anything new, I said well just updated back accounts and our insurance policy, etc. He said ok I don't need those.
He then got to the taxes part and ratified my husbands income. My husband said yes, I will make XX amount of dollars this year. By the way, last year (2012) he only worked half the year, but still made enough for the income requirement. He started his own company as a photographer and designer. But since it was just half the year, for this year's income he doubled that amount as an estimate. So when the officer asked about the amount for this year my husband said, yes it will XX for this year, I have already made X amount so far and with the contracts I have my estimated income is XX for 2013. The officer said ok, sounds good (we actually brought papers to prove this, but the officer didn't ask for them). Then he said oh so you are photographer and you are a jewelry designer (to me) and we said yes. And then asked me, so you have a shop? And I answered no, not really. I went to grad school to get my masters in jewelry design and worked at the jewelry store where I met my husband during my OPT.
And then he said thats sounded like fun and a good match of interests and professions. By then anything he said let us understand we were approved. He said things like, well when you get your greencard in a few weeks you'll be done for the next two years. I'll explain to you how it all works after that, just let me finish some stuff here in the computer. He then proceeded to explain the removal of conditions in two years and citizenship in 3. He gave us recommendations about what kind of papers and information to keep from now on but that it should be a breeze, really.
He then gave us a paper, that is titled, Notice of Interview Results. There are 5 paragraphs with boxes and he cheked off the first one that says " Your case is being held for review. At this time, USCIS does not require any further information or documents from you. Should further information or documents be required, you will receive a notice in the mail. We may also schedule you for another interview at some point. Otherwise, a final decision will be mailed once your case complete." When he handed us this paper he said, I give this to every couple even if they are already accepted like you. I have no further questions and I have no reason to not approve your case. I only have to finish a final check here and you should recieve your greencard in a few weeks. We said thank you and smiled, of course. He then said, I have no more questions for you, you seem like a really nice couple, he is a very lucky guy and you are too.
And that was pretty much it. He was extremely nice and in a great mood.
When I got home I checked the USCIS website and cheked my cases.
The I-485 case is in Decision and says: On June 24, 2013, we mailed you a notice that we had registered this customer's new permanent resident status. Please follow any instructions on the notice. Your new permanent resident card should be mailed within 60 days following this registration or after you complete any ADIT processing referred to in the welcome notice, whichever is later.
The I-130 is still in Initial Review but says: On June 24, 2013, we mailed you a notice that we certified our approval of this case and sent it to the appropriate appellate body for review. They will notify you directly when they make a final decision. If you move while this case is pending, follow the instructions provided in the notice and use our Change of Address online tool to update your case with your new address or call our customer service center at 1-800-375-5283.
So, we are very happy and could not have asked for a nicer officer.